-----Official Bug Out Bag Thread-----

(Posted on 7/15/12 at 11:09 pm)

Disclaimer- The following is meant to be taken purely as advice. If in the future you are found in a SHTF situation and are injured/maimed/raped by a bear/killed, I take no responsibility. This is a rough draft. If anyone has input they'd like to include, please do so, so that our fellow OB'ers will not perish under adverse conditions!

So you’ve found yourself in a tough spot. Whether it be a long term power outage, a tornado has struck your home, or you find yourself in a stalled vehicle in the middle of nowhere, you are going to need to survive. What will you need? That’s easy; a fifth of Jim Beam, a can of Copenhagen, and your iPod. Oh wait, that’s not right. Good thing you have your handy dandy Bug Out Bag. In this write up I will cover two types of situations. 1. A true BOB that will sustain you for 3-5 days. 2. A Get Home Bag in order for you to survive in case of an unplanned hiatus from society. This is not a long term, economic collapse situation, in which case you could never gather enough supplies. You will have to adapt to a new world. First of all, knowledge is the most important ingredient. No realistic amount of equipment will keep you alive without some survival knowledge. I recommend you pick up a book or two, or consult your neighborhood survival expert.

Bags So you need a survival bag. You have some options For the true bug out situations, 2 common options are the Molle Pack and the Alice Pack. You can go wrong with neither. The Molle pack is a newer system with webbing that allows pouches to be attached externally. It has a plastic exterior frame which is lighter than metal. It is generally more comfortable. However this is a more expensive option. It also becomes hotter while wearing it versus an Alice pack. The Alice pack is a very cheap option for a larger bag. It is very durable. However, it is basically just one large pouch, as opposed to the more versatile Molle pack. For a GHB you will probably prefer something smaller. Many go with the “3 Day” or “72 Hour” bags. These can be purchased new for as little as $50. They are smaller than the bags we've discussed and can be stored more places therefore. There is also nothing wrong with a good ole’ booksack, although its durability and comfort may be lacking.

So now we have a bag. What will you need it in? Let’s go over the basics. (I will include a BOB and a GHB list at the end.)

1. Water The most important aspect of survival and living in general. Whether it be a hydration bladder, canteen, or water bottles, you need a way to carry water. One liter per day is the absolute minimum. Also a way to purify water is important to have. Try to pack according to your opinionated needs.

2. Food This can come in a variety of ways. MREs are a good option. However at nearly $10 a pop, they are not the most cost effective option. Freeze dried food is another, although it is costly as well. Jerky, energy bars, and crackers are cheaper and smaller but don’t provide as much energy. Canned soup/meat/fish is a very cheap option, however it is generally heavy and is high in salt.

3. Clothing This should be similar to what you would take on a weekend hiking trip. You will want a good pair of boots (preferably), a couple of pairs of socks, pants, shirt, and a jacket. A hat is also a good idea.

4. Shelter While a tent would be nice, a good shelter can be easily fabricated with some rope and a tarp. Also something to lie on is nice, to keep you off of the ground. A blanket or space blanket to keep you warm is also preferable and/or necessary depending on the time of year.

5. First Aid Either a homemade kit or a store bought kit is a must have. Choose one and know how to use it.

6. Other Fire starters, rain protection, flashlights, knife, ect is a great idea to have. This section can be filled with more stuff than you can imagine. More on that later.

7. Protection Everyone’s favorite subject: weapons. The Judge. Shotguns. (For KR a 1911). What you carry will depend on what scenario you plan for. In your GHB, you will probably prefer a small pistol with some ammunition, as you are planning on getting home, not living in the wild. However in a BOB, I would consider a rifle and a pistol. If you are going it alone, I would prefer to have a supped up rifle, in case of a life threatening situation. However if you would also like to carry, or are planning on bugging out with someone else, a .22 is a great idea for small game. Whatever you choose, be proficient.

Didn't realize what these were for, googled it, I see they purify water but don't kill Cryptosporidium. Pretty sure I had cyrptosporidiosis once from drinking unfiltered water from a stream. That was quite an unpleasant 2 weeks.

quote:Didn't realize what these were for, googled it, I see they purify water but don't kill Cryptosporidium. Pretty sure I had cyrptosporidiosis once from drinking unfiltered water from a stream. That was quite an unpleasant 2 weeks.

Kills giardia. There are times when you can get caught outdoors without a means for purifying and these lightweight things can really help. Outside carrying a filtering system, many hikers carry them.